MUNCIE – From ongoing construction to the planned replacement of the roof at Muncie City Hall, officials got an update Thursday on a series of projects throughout Muncie.

The new roof for city hall — replacing the original roof from when the building opened in 1991 — was one of a series of projects discussed at Thursday's meeting of the Muncie Redevelopment Commission. The MRC also heard updates on several commercial projects that have either received city incentives or help in getting off the ground.

The discussion of plans for a new roof for city hall came up when MRC executive director Todd Donati was asking the board to approve a measure to use revenue from all of the city's tax increment financing (TIF) districts to pay off bonds issued to pay for or incentivize projects.

Citing what he called the city's "four main" TIF districts — Central City, Cardinal, Muncie Mall and South Muncie — Donati said TIF revenue — property taxes collected on improvements within TIF districts, which can be used to fund improvements — could be used for sidewalk improvements in overlooked areas, including the south side.

"You have to dress up your community before you can invite people in," Donati said.

After talking about TIF and bonds, Donati noted a "$600,000 project to redo the roof on city hall. It's in bad shape."

Mayor Dennis Tyler noted the roof dated to the administration of Mayor James P. Carey, nearly 25 years ago.

Donati also asked the MRC to amend the Muncie Mall TIF to allow for the purchase of updated technology for local emergency vehicles.

MRC member Tony Costello, who also serves on the Muncie School Board, noted that he was "obligated" to again raise concerns about the loss of new property tax revenue — over and above a baseline of revenue — to TIF spending. Costello and others talked about the expiration of TIF districts, which Donati said would happen after outstanding bond issues were paid off.

"How many sidewalks can you put in?" Costello said, adding that he believed 20 years was sufficient to get such projects done.

Also during Thursday's MRC meeting:

• Donati asked for, and received, the board's approval of expanding TIF revenue coverage for a senior living complex in the proposed Tillotson Commons development at Tillotson and West Memorial Drive. Donati said a bank that's loaning money for the project wants a larger revenue-generating area. He added the amount the city will invest will remain about $1.2 million.

• Work continues on Muncie Marketplace, the McGalliard Road development that will include Dick's Sporting Goods, Michael's and other stores. Donati said it's expected some businesses will open in October.

• Work on the Village Promenade apartment-and-commercial complex on University Avenue will soon move outside to include new streets and sidewalks. The private developer has said the first of more than 200 apartments will be ready Aug. 16.

• Tyler told the MRC that The Arc of Indiana's Courtyard by Marriott project downtown should see a groundbreaking by the end of August or early September. The hotel and an adjacent city-owned parking garage should be complete in 2015.

Contact Keith Roysdon at 765-213-5828 and follow him on Twitter: @keithroysdon